National Guard Soldier Reaches out through Reading to NYC Children

NYC Library hosts Soldier as Guest Reader

NEW YORK - New York Army National Guard Spc. Bryan Rosales 22 volunteered his time to read to more than 140 children at the Brooklyn branch of the New York Public Library March 5. Rosales serves as an Intelligence Analyst with the Army National Guards 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry in Manhattan. Courtesy photo.

NEW YORK - New York Army National Guard Spc. Bryan Rosales, 22, volunteered his time to read to more than 140 children at the Brooklyn branch of the New York Public Library March 5. Rosales serves as an Intelligence Analyst with the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Headquarters Company in Manhattan.

Rosales, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, read stories to the children as part of the library’s guest reader program that allows children to interact with the Soldiers on a more personal level and learn about military life in the Army National Guard.

The Army Guard Soldier answered questions from the children and then mingled with the children, teachers, parents and caregivers, describing his military service and life as a Citizen Soldier.

Rosales left the event missing part of his uniform when he offered up his 69th Infantry Regimental crest from his black beret to a crying young girl. She was consoled and thrilled to receive the unit insignia from the Soldier’s headgear.

This year marks the third such annual visit by National Guard Soldiers to the City Public Library to engage children as a guest reader.

“We were happy that our public had the chance to see the humanitarian face of the US Army,” Tilevitz said. “He (Rosales) told us that he just wanted to do his best for "the Regiment," and he certainly did.”